Insert typical attention-grabbing thread title here.

Hey there everybody. This is my second RMT here on Smogon, and my first in about a year. I've done pretty well with this team in recent times, even going on a 12-1 streak at one point (8-0 streak within that). It's obviously not going to be perfect, but I figure that's what I'm here for, right? To get constructive criticism from all you wonderful Smogonites. :) Well, I'll try to keep things brief and to the point. Here we go!


Starting with Metagross. My friend gave me a set I liked at a first glance, and I've always had a soft spot for Metagross, perhaps because my only legit shiny in history is a Beldum. Of course it's always a plus that Metagross's Attack can really pack a punch. As my friend put it "Can be used for its bulk, but that Attack stat doesn't mess around. It can **** some **** up if you're not prepared."

Set and Explanation
Metagross @ Air Balloon
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 244 HP / 252 Atk / 12 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Stealth Rock
- Meteor Mash
- Hammer Arm

When this team was in its beginning days Metagross was my lead a good majority of the time. Now I'm a little more versatile with my leading potential. Believe it or not, after I find a time to get Rocks up, which is not always a priority based on my opponent's team, this guy doesn't show up until the closing turns of the battle most times. The natural bulk allows me to survive a hit or too and finish off my weakened opponents with pure power. I'm becoming more used to switching this guy IN on a predicted Earthquake. It feels pretty good to get that prediction right.


Volcarona was next. I felt I would need a special attacker that could take some hits.

Set and Explanation
Volcarona @ Leftovers
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 216 Def / 240 HP / 52 Spd
Bold Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Roost

Standard BulkyRona. I do really like this, and like most things, its effective-ness is reliant on prediction. If you can come in on the right thing and set up enough, you can begin to wreck. Of course, Double STAB with Roost. EVs are to provide as much bulk as possible on the physical side, since the special side is covered by Quiver Dance. I can get a little help with finding the right time to switch in from Rotom-W and his Trick.


That's right. I put two pictures next to each other. You know why? 'Cause I'm a risky bitch.
In all seriousness, these two are next to each other because they share something significant. They form my team's Scarfed VoltTurn core.

Sets and Explanation
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Choice Scarf - - - - - - - - Rotom-Wash @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Intimidate - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Trait: Levitate
EVs: 116 HP / 252 Atk / 140 Spd- - - - - - - - - - - EVs: 84 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 168 Spd
Adamant Nature - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Modest Nature
- Earthquake - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - Hydro Pump
- Stone Edge - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volt Turn
- Superpower - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hidden Power [Fire]
- U-turn - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Trick

Together they function as a VoltTurn core. Alone they are still deadly attackers. Let's take a look at the washing machine first. I like Trick on it, against the right opponent it can completely cripple an essential part of a team. The rest of its moves make it what it is. A special attacker. Nothing more outside of Volt Switch, which obviously provides momentum when used right.
Now let's look at the weird... Dog... thing. Now hold up for a moment. I said we're going to look at it. Literally. What else should I call it? I mean look at this thing! ----> ... What else? If I wanted to get more specific I could go dog with a white jewfro. Kinda sorta.
Okay, tangents aside, to the actual competitive value of the Pokemon. LANDORUS-T SO OP. That's a pretty good way to sum it up. Have you seen this guy's base attack? Scarf it and put some strong moves with nice coverage on, and you have one strong revenge killer. U-Turn is the move I use most often, as I do Volt Turn on Rotom-W, because it provides the advantage in momentum. If it's late game and I see a SE move I can use, I will go for it. Like I said, that base Attack. Oh god, this thing is powerful. Oh yeah, the EVs might look a little weird to some of you. Max attack for obvious reasons. I have that many Speed EVs because that's all I need. The rest are distributed to provide valuable bulk.


D'awww. So cute.

Set and Explanation
Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 200 HP / 60 SAtk / 248 Spd
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Dragon Pulse
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt

I will be honest. I am not happy with this slot on my team. She rarely ever pulls weight, but I don't know what to replace her with that will still do the job well. I would like this slot to remain as a bulky Special attacker and and completely open to suggestions.
There's not much to say about the set really. Perhaps if my opponent gives me the chance and I see the opportunity to set up a lot, I'll go for it. But to be honest, it rarely happens. I will say her bulk has helped me lots in absolute late game, though. She survives enough hits to lay some extra damage into my opponent, enough so I can get a revenge KO.


Excuse me while I fanboy the hell out of my existence for this Pokemon.
OH MY BLEEPING GOD THIS BLEEPING POKEMON IS ONE OF THE BLEEPING GREATEST BLEEPING POKEMON IN THE BLEEPING UNIVERSE. ..... BLEEP.

Set and Explanation
Machamp @ Leftovers
Trait: No Guard
EVs: 196 HP / 252 Atk / 40 Def / 20 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- DynamicPunch
- Stone Edge
- Ice Punch

I don't know why Machamp isn't used more often! He is the perfect anti-lead! He has wonderful bulk for a Fighting type to take a lot of first hits. And the moveset. OH, the moveset! I lead with Machamp quite often, since he is the perfect anti-lead, and I can always confuse my opponent, get up a Sub, or force a switch. If I can force a switch, I'm subbing, and then I almost always DynamicPunch to make my opponent have to fight through confusion. Maybe I get lucky with confuse too much, or maybe Machamp is really good. He does survive hits when I keep him out, and His attack stat is astounding so I'm sure to take a good chunk of health away from most opponents. The main things Machamp struggles against are Politoeds and Psychics.



Well, there you go. The main flaws in this team that I see have already been listed. If you notice any other potential flaws, I would like to hear about them. Hopefully by the time I'm unbanned from the Showdown server I'll have this team down pat. Thanks in advance for any tips you may leave!

Thanks for reading, everybody!
~Jaycee

Looks like my attention... just got grabbed. "Puts on sunglasses".

Well, a few things:
Firstly, a metagross lead isn't great in today's metagame, with bulky WoW rotom-w's and genesects that will torch you with flamethrower. Even if you don't lead against it, it's still often walled, even by heavily offensive teams, just because of how bad rotom-W beats it. Use it anyhow if you so desire.

If you want to replace latias, you could first try running either SubCM latias, which is great against stall teams as the last pokemon, or Lo tank latias, which is great at both taking hits and dishing them. Consider replacing it with a starmie, just so you can support volca w/rapid spin, while still having a fast, specially based psychic-type.

You seem to be really weak to dragons. Special dragons can break through even metagross, and physical dragons do well against it. It's got no recovery, and it can lose the balloon setting SR as well. Honestly, i'd just run bronzong over it-less offensive presence, but at least he provides you with a way to deal with dragons. You could also run forretress, just so you can have a spinner along with a steel, but i don't recommend it.

Oh yeah, and since bulkyrona's not really a new name, our view of "what you did there" was you using a standard name for something. Might wanna edit that whole segment out.

Thanks for the tips. I think the first thing I'll do is replace the Latias set for a SubCM set like you suggested. Sub/CM/Dragon Pulse/Psychic? What would be the best EV spread for the set?

If and when Metagross starts to fall behind in production, I will consider replacing him. I like him on the team for now though; he's been a very effective part of my team.